Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 434: Their Promises

"...So let me get this straight," Asher swallowed hard, his voice nearly a whisper. "King Angus is alive?"

"And you’re his daughter?" Alaric asked, sounding equally stunned.

"And you’re a princess," Roman added, eyes lighting up with a dreamy grin. "I always knew there was something special about you, Princess."

"Princess." The Beast repeated, his deep voice rumbling as he gently played with Violet’s hair, if feeling the importance of the word.

Violet had unearthed every detail of her life, and now she braced herself for the commotion that would inevitably follow.

She wrung her hands, her fingers nervously tangling together as she studied their reactions. "Are you guys angry at me?" she asked, unsure.

Asher looked at her strangely with confusion. "Why would I be angry at you?"

"Because I’m Angus’ daughter," she said hesitantly, as if the truth was poison on her tongue. "And heir to the throne. Micah thinks trusting you all is a bad idea. He believes you’d betray me and take it."

At that moment, the real question Violet wanted to ask hung in the air: Can I trust you?

Violet didn’t want to say it outright. She didn’t want to seem like she doubted them. But how could she not? Being "Alpha King" was the future these boys were raised and trained for their entire lives, and now, out of nowhere, she was the heir apparent. If she were in their position, accepting that fate would be a great challenge.

Violet rushed to clarify, "Not that I intend on ruling. I mean, I don’t even have a wolf, nor do I know anything about ruling a bunch of creatures."

Her laugh was hollow and awkward as she tried to downplay her significance, hoping to ease the tension in the room.

"You shouldn’t have trusted Micah with your secret," Asher scolded.

it," she muttered. "And he’s

They’re not to be trusted, brother or not. Why do you think he’s not running for the throne? He’s the

but it

legitimate heir," Alaric countered. "Fated mates are

mother severed the bond, and that alone would

surprisingly serious for once. "For a moment, I thought you’d

brainiest of them all, but he

snapped.

speak for the others, but I’m not fighting you for the throne. I never will. Not when I know it was never mine to

coming from you, Asher. You’ve always fought the hardest for the throne and your father practically worships the ground you walk on, bragging about how

didn’t flinch. "I fought because you three were in the race and I couldn’t possibly lose. Then, Violet wasn’t in the picture. But now, I know what matters most to me, and it’s her. My father can rot in whatever cursed pit of hell he crawled

it was sexy as hell, and Violet’s face was beet red while her heart thudded like it wanted

turning to the others. "What about

win either, but he just didn’t want

he meant winning through cunning means. There was no way he’d beat Asher in a straight fight unless he outsmarted him. If anyone had a real shot, it was Alaric. Or Griffin, if only

the North losing out. Besides, I’m their perfect son who can do anything he puts his mind to," Alaric added, his voice carrying a

ached at his words. She reached over and squeezed his hand

of them had voiced their allegiance, there was only one

the Beast. Sure, it was assumed Griffin would support Violet now that they were mated. But politics was politics, and

sensing the weight of the moment, the

didn’t want

"I trust

because the Beast nudged her

Go." His voice was gruff, his warm amber eyes locked onto hers with